Bryn Morris has 'everything' as Keith Curle welcomes Portsmouth midfielder to Northampton

The Northampton boss ended his prolonged pursuit of the Pompey midfielder by signing him on loan until the end of the season on Monday.

The Blues fringe player was allowed to leave Fratton Park following Kenny Jackett’s capture of Spurs youngster Harvey White – also until the campaign’s end.

And it meant Curle could land a player he has been keen on since his time as manager of Carlisle and when Morris was coming through the ranks at Middlesbrough.

Now through the door and under the Cobblers manager is revelling working with Morris, who he believes has so many assets to his game.

Curle told the Northampton Chronicle: ‘Bryn is a player I have known about for a long time.

‘When he was an 18-year-old lad at Middlesbrough and I was at Carlisle, I tried to sign him and I have followed his progress closely since.

‘The lad's got everything and he can play in various positions - he is an all-round midfield player.

‘He can win the ball, recycle possession, he can play a pass and he can open teams up. He also thrives on the horrible side of it and he doesn't mind doing the legwork and closing people down.

‘He is only 24 but he has good League One experience and a good League One pedigree, having played in the League One play-offs twice in the last three seasons.

‘I think he will benefit from the move as will we.

‘He started the season in the team for Portsmouth but unfortunately for him they went on a good run after he came out and the manager didn't change it. I'm pleased to welcome him to the club.’

Morris arrived at Pompey in January 2019 but endured a stop-start two years during his time at PO4.

In total, he scored one goal in 29 appearances, although he spent more than 12 months sidelined with an abdomen injury.

This season, the former England youth captain played 18 times for Jackett’s side and started the opening five League One matches.

However, he's managed just 32 minutes of third-tier action since, after falling behind Andy Cannon, Tom Naylor and Ben Close in the pecking order.

Morris said he was delighted to learn about Curle’s enthusiasm and was looking forward to working with him.

He told the Northampton Chronicle: ‘‘I spoke to the gaffer on the phone a few times before I came and he was really keen,’ said Morris.

‘I liked the way he came across and his philosophy. Most of all he just sounded like a good man manager.

‘I know he tried to sign me on loan before when he was at Carlisle and I was at Middlesbrough so he must like something about me.

‘I think he actually tried to get me a couple of times and I would imagine he's watched me with the recruitment people a few times and had a look at who's available.

‘It didn't work out before for whatever reason but he came along again and I spoke to him on the phone and now I'm just really glad to get the move over the line.

‘What he said about the club evolving and what he's trying to build and achieve here suits me so I'm really looking forward to it. I just want to play regular football again.’